Grief After Jackson Murder As Investigation Continues

JACKSON, NJ — As authorities on Friday continued to investigate a homicide that happened overnight in Jackson, family members and friends are expressing shock over the death of a 23-year-old man who was the victim in the incident.

Isaiah Renouf, who turned 23 on Sunday, was killed overnight. His mother, in a public Facebook post, said he had been stabbed.

"His last words to me last night were 'Good night mom I love you Thank you I’m Getting good at the job,' " Leila Renouf wrote. "4 hours later he woke up to tapping on the window ... he was stabbed in the heart."

"I raced to him and held him I applied pressure to his wound ..... he died of cardiac arrest," she wrote.

The Ocean County prosecutor's office confirmed Isaiah Renouf was the victim, and said the investigation is continuing.

One of Isaiah's sisters created a GoFundme campaign to help cover funeral expenses.

"My little brother Isaiah was one of the rarest gems that ever blessed this earth," Lauren Renouf wrote on the GoFundme. "He had the most radiant smile that could brighten anyone’s day."

Isaiah Renouf had been living in Miami but had returned to Jackson recently, his mother said. He had just started a new job at National Automotive Financial Services and was working 50 hours a week, friends and family said.

Lauren Renouf wrote that he was a father; friends mentioned he had become a father recently to a baby boy.

"Someone took his life without so much as a second thought," Lauren wrote. "They didn’t care that he was a father, a son, a brother, and friend to so many."

"I can’t believe this is real," his brother, Chris, wrote. "Never did I think that I would lose a brother. My little brother!! Isaiah I will forever miss you, I wish I was able to see you one last time and hear your voice. My baby brother I love you so much. Be at peace and fight your demons no more. I love you Isaiah and we will meet again."

In addition to his mother, Isaiah is survived by his father, four brothers and two sisters.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of grief from Isaiah's friends as well.

"He was a great dude," one friend wrote. "This hurting me inside."

"I can’t even hold back my tears my bro is gone," another wrote. "Isaiah Renouf I love you bro I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m messed up right now."

"Rest in peace Isaiah Renouf," another wrote. "My heart hurts for your family and friends. I'm so sorry this world is so cruel. I pray to God you're at peace."

"I can’t even find the words to the say I can’t believe this is real," another wrote. "I had such good memories with you and you were taken way too fast you hit me up not long ago and I should’ve tried harder to talk to you I love you zay and I’ll miss you forever."

Jackson Township police, the prosecutor's office and the Ocean County Sheriff's Crime Scene Investigation Unit are investigating, a joint news release from Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said.

They said there is no immediate danger to the public, and additional information would be released when it becomes available.

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